Attachment 7 -FSGA Spill Plan.pdf

U. S. ARMY

FORT STEWART/HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD (FS/HAAF)

USER' S SPILL RESPONSE GUIDE

INTRODUCTION. Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield (FS/HAAF) lies within the Georgia coastal watershed. Fully one third of the acreage of Fort Stewart is comprised of designated wetlands under the protection of the federal government or the state of Georgia. These wetlands and the whole coastal watershed constitute a very sensitive ecosystem, home to a huge range of species, some of which are protected, most of which are sensitive to pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines an environmental incident as:

"The release or the threat of release of a substance that poses an imminent and substantial danger to the public's health, welfare, or the environment."

Every release, or spill, of a hazardous material (HM), a hazardous waste (HW) or potential pollutant is an environmental incident, and is especially critical here in the coastal watershed.

A spill here at FS/HAAF will typically involve a petroleum product such as fuels or lubricants, antifreeze, acid or other hazardous substances. Every spill, whether it is one in which you played a role (a "caused" spill) or one which you discover in a common area or on a public road/trail (a "discovered" spill) requires a response. This response must begin within 30 minutes (NO EXCEPTIONS) of cause or discovery; and should occur in the following general sequence:

SPILL RESPONSE SEQUENCE:

For DISCOVERED SPILLS

1. Report the spill to the PS/HAAF Dispatch Center by calling 911 if using a "hard wired" phone or 912-767-2822 if using a cell phone.

2. Remain on the spill site or rendezvous as instructed by the Dispatch Center to guide first responders to the site.

If you are not asked to guide first responders to the site of a discovered spill your responsibilities for response are fulfilled when you have completed your report call. If you are asked to guide first responders to the site, your responsibilities are fulfilled when you have rendezvoused with the first responders and answered any questions they may have about your discovery.

For CAUSED SPILLS This sequence applies to spills anywhere on the Installation.

1. Warn personnel who may be in danger; evacuate the area of the spill if necessary.

2. Shut off ignition sources such as running motors, electrical power, or welding operations.

3. Stop the source of the spill by shutting down pumps, closing valves, plugging holes, etc., if you can do so safely.

4. Contain the flow of the spill on pavement or soil, such as digging a shallow trench in soil, down slope of the spill, or laying a dam of absorbent such as dry-sweep or absorbent socks or pads on pavement down-slope of the spill. Protect down-slope storm water drainage features such as a storm water drain grate, with appropriate absorbents.

5. Report the spill if required by calling the Dispatch Center, (see reporting criteria described below).

6. Complete the spill cleanup by using appropriate absorbents if the spill is on pavement, or by excavating and containerizing (using bags or drums) contaminated soil if the spill is in soil.

7. Dispose of used absorbents or contaminated soil in compliance with established Directorate of Public Works (DPW) policy.

ALWAYS USE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) DURING

SPILL RESPONSES. IF YOUR ARE NOT ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN HOW TO RESPOND,

ESPECIALLY TO NON-POL HAZARDS, REPORT THE SPILL AND GET HELP.

SPILL REPORTING CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES:

IN THE GARRISON AREA: Report all spills of 5 or more gallons (the user will make the initial judgment regarding the quantity of the spill), OR if any quantity (even a thimble full) of the spilled substance enters a storm water drainage feature such as a drain grate, outfall, drainage swale or channel (whether wet or dry). Call the FS/HAAF Dispatch Center at 911 (if using a hard-wired phone) or 912-767-2822 (if using a cell phone).

IN THE FIELD (training areas and ranges): Report ALL spills regardless of quantity or location to Range Control by radio (FM 48.50 or 46.10) or telephone (912-435-8777/8100).

INSTALLATION SUPPORT:

Every report of a spill triggers a response generated at the installation level. If the information you provide during your report indicates any health, safety or fire hazard the Dispatch Center will send the Fire Department. DPW, usually in the person of an assigned environmental compliance inspector, will respond to every reported spill. That person will assess the spill situation and summon additional resources as necessary to complete the spill cleanup. In the case of discovered spills DPW will provide all the resources needed for cleanup. For caused spills the responsible unit/activity will provide the necessary manpower, and DPW will provide all additional resources necessary to complete the cleanup.